After losing out on Anibal Sanchez, the Chicago Cubs are now working to sign free-agent righthander Edwin Jackson.

Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio reported Wednesday that Chicago is the frontrunner to land the journeyman starter, ahead of the Texas Rangers. According to Bowden, a Jackson deal could approach four years and $52 million.

FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported that the Cleveland Indians were in talks with Jackson, as well, and also floated the idea of a four-year deal.

Jackson, 29, has a 4.40 lifetime ERA and a 70-71 record. He pitched for the Washington Nationals last season after failing to land a big contract in the offseason.

The team that lands Jackson will be getting a durable innings-eater; Jackson has made at least 31 starts in each of the past six seasons while pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals in addition to the Nats.

The Cubs were close to an agreement with Sanchez last week, before the Tigers offered the righthander a five year, $80 million contract.